Field Guide To The Fantastical World Around You
Overview It all began with a strange, mysterious correspondence left for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black at a small New England bookstore. Written by three siblings, the letter told of their great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick and an unfinished tome filled with eyewitness accounts of creatures otherwise thought to be the stuff of legend.
Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You. It all began with a strange, mysterious correspondence left for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and. Find product information, ratings and reviews for Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You (Hardcover) (Holly Black & Tony online on Target.
In the #1 New York Times bestselling serial the Spiderwick Chronicles, readers were enthralled by the account of the those siblings, Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace, as they battled dwarves, goblins, elves, and a diabolical ogre in their efforts to hold on to their uncle Spiderwick,s life work. Now, through the combined efforts of the Grace children and authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, Simon & Schuster is thrilled to present that work to you! Beginning with a thoughtful and informative introduction, progressing through six exhaustive sections featuring thirty-one faerie species, and culminating with an addendum that includes observations supplied by Jared Grace, this long-awaited compendium to the worldwide Spiderwick phenomenon delivers enough information to satisfy even the most demanding faerie enthusiast. Not only will readers learn the habits and habitats of the fourteen fantastical creatures featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling chapter books, but they will be delighted and astonished by an additional seventeen creatures.
Also included are dozens of snippets from Arthur Spiderwick,s personal journal as well as cameos from a few series favorites. With so much to offer, this book is destined to be pored over for generations to come! I was not familiar with Holly Black's prose or Tony DiTerlizzi's artwork before purchasing this book. I am familiar with quality, however, and acting on a suggestion from a trusted source (a Nixie, if you must know), I got a copy of the FIELD GUIDE as a gift to some youngsters (who are also of the highest quality). Leafing through it (okay, poring), I experienced a sense of grief that I was giving the book away. It's that good. In fact, I'm idly contemplating getting a second volume of this FIELD GUIDE for myself, though it may look curious next to Brautigan's TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA.
Do you hear something knocking on the walls of your house at night? Do you keep losing bobby pins, pencils, or spools of thread?
Have you woken up to find that all the laces of your shoes are tied together and that your dog has a large bald spot on its head? If you answered 'yes' to any or all of these questions, then there can be no doubt that you have a member of the faerie world living in your home. Is it a boggart, a brownie, or a knocker? What do these mysterious creatures look like? Within the pages of this remarkable guide you will find the answers to these and many other questions.
Without a doubt this is one of the most comprehensive and fascinating books of its kind. Co-authors Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi have taken pages from Arthur Spiderwick's famous Guide and used them to create a book that is beautiful to look at and full of valuable and useful information. Where else will you learn how to stay on the right side of a brownie, and how else will you know that the gargoyles you see on buildings may in fact be alive? Packed with luscious color illustrations and numerous pencil sketches, this book is a must for fans of The Spiderwick Chronicles. Readers of all ages will get lost in the pages (some of which fold out to reveal beautiful illustrations) and in no time will be convinced that they indeed are looking at the life's work of Arthur Spiderwick, which thankfully has been reproduced here by the talented duo of Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber, editor of Through The Looking Glass Children's Book Review (.
It all began with a strange, mysterious correspondence left for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black at a small New England bookstore. Written by three siblings, the letter told of their great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick and an unfinished tome filled with eyewitness accounts of creatures otherwise thought to be the stuff of legend. In the #1 New York Times bestselling It all began with a strange, mysterious correspondence left for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black at a small New England bookstore. Written by three siblings, the letter told of their great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick and an unfinished tome filled with eyewitness accounts of creatures otherwise thought to be the stuff of legend. In the #1 New York Times bestselling serial the Spiderwick Chronicles, readers were enthralled by the account of the those siblings, Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace, as they battled dwarves, goblins, elves, and a diabolical ogre in their efforts to hold on to their uncle Spiderwick,s life work. Now, through the combined efforts of the Grace children and authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, Simon & Schuster is thrilled to present that work to you!
Beginning with a thoughtful and informative introduction, progressing through six exhaustive sections featuring thirty-one faerie species, and culminating with an addendum that includes observations supplied by Jared Grace, this long-awaited compendium to the worldwide Spiderwick phenomenon delivers enough information to satisfy even the most demanding faerie enthusiast. Not only will readers learn the habits and habitats of the fourteen fantastical creatures featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling chapter books, but they will be delighted and astonished by an additional seventeen creatures. Also included are dozens of snippets from Arthur Spiderwick,s personal journal as well as cameos from a few series favorites. With so much to offer, this book is destined to be pored over for generations to come! This book, the Arthur Spiderwick Field guide, is lovingly restored and organized by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. The creatures from the fantastical world around us have been organized by habitat and then alphabetically. It has 28 plates and hundreds of illustrations, with fold-out pages and flip-up pages for even larger illustrations.
Each creature's main illustrations list its scale. With lots of side notes and addendums, this is a wonderful book that the young and young at heart can return This book, the Arthur Spiderwick Field guide, is lovingly restored and organized by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. The creatures from the fantastical world around us have been organized by habitat and then alphabetically. It has 28 plates and hundreds of illustrations, with fold-out pages and flip-up pages for even larger illustrations. Each creature's main illustrations list its scale. With lots of side notes and addendums, this is a wonderful book that the young and young at heart can return to many times. The sections are: Around the House and Yard: Brownies Boggarts Changelings Pixies Salamanders Stray Sod In Fields and Forests: Cockatrices Elves Leprechauns Manticores Sprites Treefolk Unicorns In Lakes, Streams and the Sea: Kelpies Merfolk Nixies Sea Serpents Trolls In the Hills and Mountains: Dwarves Giants Goblins Hobgoblins Knockers Ogres In the Sky: Dragons Griffins Phoenixes Outside at Night: Banshees Gargoyles Phookas Will-o-the-Wisps This illustrated guide is amazing.
I know that I will read it again, and plan on reading it to my children many times over the next few years. Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog.
This book was beautiful. It was beautifully writing and had gorgeous artwork in it. Very well written, enjoyed the scientific way it was presented. The parts that were printed in Arthur's hand writing were difficult to read at first but by the end of the book I had no trouble with it. I enjoyed this book immensely. It was informative by itself and it gave more insight to the creatures from The Spiderwick Chronicles.
It was nice to learn more about the creatures we encountered there. I just loved This book was beautiful. It was beautifully writing and had gorgeous artwork in it. Very well written, enjoyed the scientific way it was presented. The parts that were printed in Arthur's hand writing were difficult to read at first but by the end of the book I had no trouble with it.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It was informative by itself and it gave more insight to the creatures from The Spiderwick Chronicles. It was nice to learn more about the creatures we encountered there. I just loved this book. 'A gorgeous book, and fantastic companion to The Spiderwick Chronicles.
It's a bit of a misnomer to call it a companion, though, as this is the book that started it all (even if it was published afterwards). The novels are more like an introduction for this book!returnreturnI love that it's not only a bestiary (with beautiful illustrations), but that the beasts described within are somewhat unusual.
Yes, there is a unicorn, but it doesn't exactly look like a horse with a horn on its head. On 'A gorgeous book, and fantastic companion to The Spiderwick Chronicles. It's a bit of a misnomer to call it a companion, though, as this is the book that started it all (even if it was published afterwards). The novels are more like an introduction for this book!returnreturnI love that it's not only a bestiary (with beautiful illustrations), but that the beasts described within are somewhat unusual. Yes, there is a unicorn, but it doesn't exactly look like a horse with a horn on its head. Only the sprites are even close to resembling the sanitized fairies we've convinced ourselves are harmless and even benevolent.returnreturnStudy this guide not so that you can go looking for these creatures, but so that you can be sure to steer clear. Fairies are trouble!'
I absolutely love Tony DiTerlizzi's illustrations, even as a teenager I find them wonderfully breathtaking and glorious. I cannot imagine what I would have thought of them as a child, I probably would have been completely flabbergasted. The creatures in this book are very interesting and you can't help but be sucked into this book, completely forgetting where you are, but instead, being immersed in this world, with all sorts of thoughts running around your head.
This book was inspiring, it made I absolutely love Tony DiTerlizzi's illustrations, even as a teenager I find them wonderfully breathtaking and glorious. I cannot imagine what I would have thought of them as a child, I probably would have been completely flabbergasted. The creatures in this book are very interesting and you can't help but be sucked into this book, completely forgetting where you are, but instead, being immersed in this world, with all sorts of thoughts running around your head. This book was inspiring, it made me want to write stories featuring the characters I had just been introduced to.
A lovely book that I'd definitely recommend.Taken from my book reviews blog. I've only read the first of the chronicles but this book is wonderful, such amazing images and witty descriptions. It's the kind of book I'd have poured over for hours as a child. And one I'll definately be having in my class. It's a great book to use for inspiration for all sorts of character creation activities in literacy.
I have grand ideas of reading the books as read aloud books, whilst looking at the topic of myths and legends and then linking it all to a nice activity of getting the childr I've only read the first of the chronicles but this book is wonderful, such amazing images and witty descriptions. It's the kind of book I'd have poured over for hours as a child. And one I'll definately be having in my class. It's a great book to use for inspiration for all sorts of character creation activities in literacy.
I have grand ideas of reading the books as read aloud books, whilst looking at the topic of myths and legends and then linking it all to a nice activity of getting the children to create their own field guide of mythical creatures. I can imagine reading the books and then at the end all 5, bringing out this guide as a culmination and intro to the activity. I love the Guide. It is much more detailed than the books, obviously, and includes many creatures that the books don’t mention but are found elsewhere in folklore. The illustrations are beautiful, of course, and there are many two-page spreads for larger illustrations.
They are very detailed and beautifully-coloured. I like how Arthur provides many examples of a lot of the faeries, based on several observances. So while we may think of Mulgarath as the main ogre, there were illustrations of othe I love the Guide. It is much more detailed than the books, obviously, and includes many creatures that the books don’t mention but are found elsewhere in folklore. The illustrations are beautiful, of course, and there are many two-page spreads for larger illustrations. They are very detailed and beautifully-coloured. I like how Arthur provides many examples of a lot of the faeries, based on several observances.
So while we may think of Mulgarath as the main ogre, there were illustrations of others that were even more interesting, because there was more backstory. And seeing a female troll was strange! But it was so cool and a lot of things were realistic—like you could actually see the faeries or proof of their existence if you looked closely enough. Some things were just about impossible, but others simply required a bit of open-mindedness. And I do find it hard to believe that Arthur got lucky enough to see some of the rarer creatures!
Like a phoenix, which was only supposed to exist one at a time, and live for 500 years before rebirthand a banshee, following around someone who is dyingand a sea serpent! I find that the rarest of all. (Second, I suppose, after the phoenix.) It’s hard to find something that far out to sea, even if it is enormous.
And he apparently saw it in its entirety. But really, so many of these creatures could have their own offshoot books, like the sprites have.
I would be so into that idea. They’re all fascinating. And you’re probably going to ask me to pick a favourite. However I don’t really ever choose favourites in anything! HmmmI really like the concept of a house brownie, but I think sprites would make for better pets, although difficult to containI think phookas would be easy to get along with, and I think mermaids are beautifulI think nixies would also be easy to just hang out withbut I have always liked elves. I would like to be able to live among them, I think, because they would not accept me as a human, an outsider.
And they are very beautiful as well, and wise. I would like to get even more information about all of these creatures. Then I would be able to talk a lot more.
But this book had to cover so much in a reasonable amount of pages! I am quite happy with what it is. It’s a lovely addition to the mythology section of my personal library. See the full review on my blog,. Definitely a cool 'reference' book-the detail of the artwork and the layering of old letters and news clippings gave it a very 'scrap-book' feel, which was perfect. Not a book I'd recommend for a fun read-through, though, as it's quite detailed and there aren't as many stories as there could be to personalize it and make it a 'fun' read. Very scientific, just as Arthur would have preferred.
It's one I'd love to own, though, because the amount of research that went into the information is truly Definitely a cool 'reference' book-the detail of the artwork and the layering of old letters and news clippings gave it a very 'scrap-book' feel, which was perfect. Not a book I'd recommend for a fun read-through, though, as it's quite detailed and there aren't as many stories as there could be to personalize it and make it a 'fun' read.
Very scientific, just as Arthur would have preferred. It's one I'd love to own, though, because the amount of research that went into the information is truly impressive. I received this book as a Christmas gift from a family friend soon after the film was released. I was slightly skeptical at first, as I hadn't read the books when I discovered them in high school on the basis that they seemed a too juvenile- though I was quite sure I would have enjoyed the books very much as a child.
However, when I began leafing through the book I fell utterly in love. The illustrations are gorgeous, detailed and very imaginative, many seem to me to be entirely unique, wonderfu I received this book as a Christmas gift from a family friend soon after the film was released. I was slightly skeptical at first, as I hadn't read the books when I discovered them in high school on the basis that they seemed a too juvenile- though I was quite sure I would have enjoyed the books very much as a child. However, when I began leafing through the book I fell utterly in love.
The illustrations are gorgeous, detailed and very imaginative, many seem to me to be entirely unique, wonderfully refreshing after years browsing through deviantart.com's galleries and finding mostly only the most trite character designs for supernatural creatures. Many of the species in this book are represented by an array of sketches and beautifully painted full color plates.
The book it's self, and each page are beautifully designed to look like an antique naturalist's journal. The written descriptions of the creatures are also rich in detail, and sometimes include field notes. Though the creatures' existence is rooted in lore, the authors make them their own. It has become one of my most treasured books. This picture book is a wonderful guide to the characters and species of the book series Spiderwick Chronicles. It provides a window into the world and fantastical characters developed.
There are lovely pictures as well as description and insight into the characters. Also, the book features journal pages from Authur Spiderwick and visits from some other series characters. The pictures are a nice mix of watercolor paint and sketches and pencil drawings. The watercolor landscape gives a 'real feel' This picture book is a wonderful guide to the characters and species of the book series Spiderwick Chronicles.
Childrens
It provides a window into the world and fantastical characters developed. There are lovely pictures as well as description and insight into the characters.
Also, the book features journal pages from Authur Spiderwick and visits from some other series characters. The pictures are a nice mix of watercolor paint and sketches and pencil drawings. The watercolor landscape gives a 'real feel' into the fantasy and world of the Spiderwick Chronicles. The book gives an older New England feel with fictitious newspaper article snippets to supplement the characters detail. I recommend this book for students 3rd grade and up. This book can be used as an example for developing characters in a storyline. After looking at this book, students can choose a character from a story they have read and create a picture with a description or a fictitious newspaper article.
A discussion of character development in a story can be highlighted with this book. I'll admit, I've had this book for years and never read it. I originally bought this book when I was still a big fan of 'The Spiderwiick Chronicles'. That's not to say I don't still like the series, it's just lost it's touch for me.
I've grown out of this series, so it was nice to be able to go back and read something that I used to be a big fan of. I will admit, this book wasn't quite as exciting or thrilling for me as it would have been had I read it when I was younger, but it's still a decent I'll admit, I've had this book for years and never read it. I originally bought this book when I was still a big fan of 'The Spiderwiick Chronicles'. That's not to say I don't still like the series, it's just lost it's touch for me. I've grown out of this series, so it was nice to be able to go back and read something that I used to be a big fan of. I will admit, this book wasn't quite as exciting or thrilling for me as it would have been had I read it when I was younger, but it's still a decent read. I do like the fact that this book does try to stay in line with a lot of other fantasy books, like all the parts about the Phoenix, or mermaids.
I also love the fact that they made a 'shout out' to the Harry Potter series with the whole bit about the Hippogriff, because, I'll be honest, I'd never heard anything about a Hippogriff until I read the Harry Potter series. Overall, I thought the book was good and kids everywhere will enjoy it!
This book was a beautiful companion to the Spiderwick Chronicles. It is a reproduction of Arthur Spiderwick's field guide with detailed notes and drawings of the fantastical creatures of faerie.
The reason I gave it only four stars is because there were many fold out pages that easily get tattered. The fold our pages are slightly smaller than all the other pages and so they easily try to fall open and the edges get beat up. I was using a library copy and library books take all kinds of abuse, but This book was a beautiful companion to the Spiderwick Chronicles. It is a reproduction of Arthur Spiderwick's field guide with detailed notes and drawings of the fantastical creatures of faerie. The reason I gave it only four stars is because there were many fold out pages that easily get tattered.
Fantasy
The fold our pages are slightly smaller than all the other pages and so they easily try to fall open and the edges get beat up. I was using a library copy and library books take all kinds of abuse, but I was being careful and found it very hard to keep the fold out pages folded in when I wanted to turn the page. Also, there is a ribbon to use as a bookmark. I love the touch, but if you ever used it between pages that folded out, when you opened it again, you could easily rip or fold a page. I learned to much about faeries.
I feel like a have a better hold on the fantastical world around me now. The book is great to expand a child's vocabulary. Not only with the names of the faeries but other words the authors use in the book. I even looked up a few words. The pictures are beautiful and fantastic.
I've been observing the world around me and looking everywhere for signs of faeries. I own all of the first Spiderwick Chronicles series but I wish I owned this boo 1. I learned to much about faeries. I feel like a have a better hold on the fantastical world around me now.
The book is great to expand a child's vocabulary. Not only with the names of the faeries but other words the authors use in the book. I even looked up a few words. The pictures are beautiful and fantastic. I've been observing the world around me and looking everywhere for signs of faeries. I own all of the first Spiderwick Chronicles series but I wish I owned this book, too.
Fiction
It is a must. Kids will absolutely love this book. I imagine a kid reading this and then packing a backpack full of the items you would need to hunt fey, including this book.
I want to go hiking and search for a Seeing Stone. New life goal: have seven sons so that that son can have a seventh son who has special abilities. Holly Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens.
Some of her titles include The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series, the Curse Workers series, Doll Bones, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Magisterium series (with Cassandra Clare), The Darkest Part of the Forest, and her new series which begins with The Cruel Prince in Holly Black is the author of bestselling contemporary fantasy books for kids and teens. Some of her titles include The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), The Modern Faerie Tale series, the Curse Workers series, Doll Bones, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Magisterium series (with Cassandra Clare), The Darkest Part of the Forest, and her new series which begins with The Cruel Prince in January 2018. She has been a a finalist for an Eisner Award, and the recipient of the Andre Norton Award, the Mythopoeic Award and a Newbery Honor. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret door.